The electrode in GTAW is:

• A. non consumable.
• B. consumable.
• C. made of copper.
• D. used for all welding positions.

Answer: (A)

In GTAW the electrode is non-consumable because it does not melt into the weld. The arc is formed between a tungsten electrode and the workpiece, while the filler metal is added separately with a filler rod. Tungsten has a very high melting point and excellent stability, so the electrode remains intact and only its tip wears a little from the arc, not the entire electrode becoming part of the weld. The electrode is not copper; GTAW electrodes are tungsten or tungsten alloys chosen for their ability to sustain the arc without melting. While GTAW can be performed in various welding positions, that capability comes from the process as a whole, not from the electrode itself.